"Lord Imu?"
Hearing the unfamiliar name, Sengoku's eyes flickered with confusion.
As the Fleet Admiral of Marine Headquarters, he had traveled between the Holy Land, Mary Geoise, and Marineford countless times, often tasked with security for the World Council held every four years.
During those missions, he always stood on defense in Mary Geoise to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
Yet, even with all that experience, he had never heard the name "Lord Imu."
If even Sengoku was unfamiliar with the name, it was no surprise that everyone else present exchanged bewildered glances, casting doubtful looks at Gion.
Just then...
As the elevator doors opened, Elio stepped out without hesitation.
Hound and Bastille, two Vice Admirals, followed closely behind him. Several Rear Admirals rushed out ahead of Elio, standing respectfully before the door to the conference hall at the end of the corridor.
As Elio approached, two Rear Admirals immediately pushed open the doors.
Without breaking stride, Elio marched into the conference hall with his head held high and his back straight.
Clatter-
Inside, Gion, Dalmatian, and the rest of the Marine officers, along with the soldiers standing behind them, all rose to their feet and took a step forward.
Instead of moving to his designated spot, Elio walked straight toward Sengoku under the focused gaze of the crowd.
"Attention!"
Before Sengoku could respond, Elio brought his feet together and raised his hand in salute. "Salute to the Fleet Admiral!"
At his command, Hound, Bastille, and all the accompanying Rear Admirals immediately snapped to attention. Gion, Dalmatian, and the others followed suit, standing tall and shouting in unison, "Loyalty!"
Sengoku remained calm, quietly observing Elio's salute.
Maynard and the other officers who had not pledged allegiance to Elio wore hostile expressions, watching him as if facing a sworn enemy.
"Vice Admiral Elio, you've been quite busy tonight."
After a brief silence, Sengoku sighed and said slowly, "Pursuing ambition at the cost of your comrades' lives and blood, is that your idea of justice?"
Without answering, Elio pulled a document from his coat and placed it in front of Sengoku, then stepped back.
"Years ago, I met a prophet on Fish-Man Island. She told me I was destined to succeed at the cost of countless bones beneath me. But I don't believe that. Life or death is a choice each person makes for themselves. Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Marineford, is now basically under my control. If you want to avoid further bloodshed, please sign your name on this document."
"You traitor, Elio!"
Before Sengoku could reply, Maynard stood up abruptly, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Elio. "As long as we're alive, don't even dream of succeeding!"
"Courting death."
Without waiting for Elio's order, Hound and Bastille lunged forward in perfect coordination.
In an instant, Stainless's finger gun pointed at Maynard's chest.
At the same time, Bastille's massive blade was at his throat.
Gion instinctively gripped her sword hilt, and Strawberry revealed a bloodthirsty grin. If Maynard, Red King, or Stainless dared move, they would be struck down without hesitation.
Tension surged through the room. The air in the hall grew electric, one spark away from erupting into full-scale battle.
"Hound!"
"Bastille!"
With weapons pointed at him, Maynard's eyes turned red with rage. "Elio has only been with Marine Headquarters for six years. What did he do to you all that you would abandon the honor of the Marines and join his rebellion?"
"A soldier dies for the one who understands him," Hound replied coldly, eyes fixed on Menard. "My honor is my loyalty."
Bastille didn't waste words. He simply warned in a voice that brooked no resistance, "Sit down, or I won't show mercy for old times' sake."
"You..." Maynard's anger surged, and he instinctively tried to take a step forward.
But at that moment, Sengoku slammed his hand on the conference table, his voice low and firm. "Enough! Maynard, sit down."
With that, he didn't spare another glance at anyone. Instead, he opened the document Elio had placed before him.
"Hmm?"
Upon reading the contents, Sengoku's pupils contracted, and he looked up at Elio in disbelief. "You want to temporarily assume the role of Fleet Admiral? Elio, do you think that's realistic? The appointment of a Fleet Admiral isn't something I can decide. Without the Celestial Dragons'..."
"There's no need for their permission."
Elio smiled faintly. "As long as the Marines across Marineford, the Four Seas, and the Grand Line's major fortresses know that your health is failing and that I am temporarily overseeing all Marine affairs, that's enough. Of course, you can choose not to sign. But if you don't, a lot of people will die tonight."
Sengoku fell silent.
As the current Fleet Admiral, he clearly understood Elio's strategy. This was a delaying tactic. If Elio could temporarily pacify the Marines in the Grand Line and Four Seas, he could quickly dispatch loyal forces to eliminate any uncontrollable elements at minimal cost.
Once Elio fully controlled the Marines, the World nobles would only have two choices: either compromise and acknowledge Elio's authority as Fleet Admiral, or erupt in fury and launch all World Government combat divisions in open war against the Marines under Elio's command.
Seeing Sengoku's silence, Elio turned and walked to the empty seat across from him at the conference table.
As he approached, Gion moved the chair forward for him. Once he sat down, she stepped back to stand respectfully at Elio's left. Hound and Bastille followed and stood behind him, eyes fixed on Sengoku, whose expression was now grave.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you must not sign that document!"
Suddenly, Maynard stood up again, emotions running high. "We still have the strength to fight! If we risk everything and hold out until Vice Admiral Garp returns from leave, victory will be ours! And the Three Admirals haven't made their stance clear yet..."
Boom!!!
Before he could finish, the doors to the conference hall burst open.
In walked Sakazuki, now wearing his Marine Admiral's coat and cap, accompanied by Vice Admiral Momonga. Under the stunned gazes of Maynard, Red King, Stainless, and the others, he walked straight to Elio's side.
"Admiral Sakazuki!"
Seeing Sakazuki ignore Sengoku and stand beside Elio, Maynard's pupils contracted as he shouted in disbelief, "You... What are you doing? Are you joining him too? That's impossible! You're the one who hates compromise the most! What about your 'Absolute Justice'?"
Sengoku looked up at Sakazuki as well, voice heavy. "Sakazuki, is this your decision?"
Sakazuki slowly raised his head, hesitation flashing in his eyes for the briefest moment. Then, brushing away all doubts, he nodded firmly.
"Yes."